Those following our posts know that the flawed wastewater system in Valdosta has had serious problems going back many years. These problems stemmed from a poorly planed project in which the volume was catastrophically under-estimated, an aging, outdated and dysfunctional city infrastructure, and, too often, incompetence.
The latest spill appears to be from a broken pipe, according to WWALS representative John Quarterman who keeps a close watch on the Suwannee all the way down the river.
Now when there is a problem we usually hear from the Suwannee River Water Management District and sometimes the Florida Department of Health. But before, in the years of Valdosta transgressions, it was John Quarterman and Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson who notified these people whose jobs include monitoring the river and communicating with people put at risk by contamination. At their insistence, these agencies now do some monitoring, but WWALS and John Quarterman is more on the job than any state agency.
As proof of this, when Valdosta was made aware of the spill, the Mayor, Scott James Matheson, called Quarterman as the spill was occurring.
As we have written earlier, there are ongoing problems related to agriculture involving livestock which intermittently are point sources for pollution in the river, and these are located both above and below Valdosta on the north-south river. The Valdosta problem is mostly solved it seems [perhaps unless they get a big rain] but the other sources continue.
The Lake City Reporter does not provide a link to this article.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
DOH warns of potential Withlacoochee contamination
Staff report
JASPER July 5, 2022
— There was one fewer way to enjoy the long holiday weekend in Hamilton County. On Saturday, the Hamilton County Health Department issued a precautionary health update, warning of a potential contamination of the Withlacoochee River following a sewage overflow reported in Valdosta, Ga.
The spill dumped an estimated 127,750 gallons of wastewater into Sugar Creek in Georgia. According to the City of Valdosta, a ruptured seal caused the spill Thursday. The city said “staff immediately began cleanup and disinfecting at this overflow location.”
Tom Moffses, the Hamilton County Health Department administrator, said Monday that test results and a clearer understanding of the status of the river could be received back today.
Moffses added the department issued the release as a precaution or under the thinking that it’s “better to be safe than sorry.” He said some testing in Georgia showed spikes in its fecal bacteria levels following the spill.
The health department, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Suwannee River Water Management District are coordinating to closely monitor the situation and will respond accordingly.
“We will provide updates to the public as these assessments continue throughout the weekend,” the DOH said in the Saturday release.
Water contaminated with elevated fecal bacteria presents several health risks to humans. Microbes normally found with fecal bacteria could cause gastrointestinal issues and other conditions.
127,000 gallons of wastewater spilled until further information is known, residents and visitors in the area should take precautions in the area of Withlacoochee River, which flows through Hamilton and Madison counties and into Suwannee County, according to the health department.
Anyone who comes into contact with the river water should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking, DOH advises. Children and older adults, as well as immunocompromised individuals, are particularly vulnerable to disease.
